India

Country or Region Description

Indian History dates back to 3000 BC. Excavations in Punjab and Gujarat reveal that the Indus Valley civilisation was a highly developed urban civilisation. In fact the two cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, situated on two sides of the river Ravi, are known to have been built on a similar plan. But that only meant a new wave of urbanisation was taking place along the Ganges around 1500 BC. This has been recorded in the Rig Veda - the earliest known literary source composed in this period that sheds light on India's past.

The Great Dynasties

By 6th century BC, the Magadh rulers dominated the Northern plains. It was also the time when new thinking emerged in the form of Buddhism and Jainism to challenge Hindu orthodoxy. The Magadh rule was followed by the rule of Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 B.C.), one of India's greatest emperors. The Mauryan reign peaked under the reign of Ashoka the Great who extended his empire from the Kashmir and Peshawar in the North to Mysore in the South and Orissa in the East. Not only was Ashoka a great ruler, he was one of the most successful propagators of Buddhism in The Country. After Ashoka's death in 232 B.C. the empire began to disintegrate and The Country was repeatedly raided and plundered by foreign invaders, leaving India disunited and weak for the next 400 years. Stability returned with the reign of Chandra Gupta I (380-412 A.D.). His rule is considered the golden period in Indian History when art and culture flourished and The Country prospered.

Unlike the North of India, foreign invasions had little impact on life in South India which also saw the rise and decline of many empires. These included the Cholas whose rule extended to Sri Lanka and South East Asia, the Pandyas, the Cheras, the Pallavas and the Chalukyas. Under the various rulers, arts and craft in the South also saw the emergence of various styles of architecture and some of the grandest architectural accomplishments in the South - the most famous being the exquisitely crafted Chola bronzes. These were followed by the Hoysala and the Vijaynagar empires - among the greatest Hindu empires.

The Muslim Invasions

The first Muslim invasions of The Country started with the Mahmud of Gazni, who plundered the sub-continent for its riches between 1001 and 1025. Later Mohamed Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan, the Tomar ruler of Delhi and left it in charge of his deputy, Qutub-ud-din, the man who built the Qutub Minar in Delhi. His rule was followed by that of the Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties. Known as the Sultanate of Delhi, it was during this period that the Muslim rulers introduced Islamic concepts of society and governance to most of the sub-continent, though the South remained largely untouched.

In 1525, Babur, a descendant of Timur, as well as Genghis Khan invaded Punjab and eventually founded the Mughal empire in India. His rule was followed by that of his son Humayun. Humayun was ousted by Afghan chieftain Sher Shah but resumed power after Sher Shah's death. Sher Shah is, however, remembered as the one to build the Grand Trunk road spanning from Peshawar to Patna. Humayun's reign was followed up by his son Akbar who actually consolidated power and extended the empire across North India and parts of South India. One of India's wisest rulers and most able administrators, Akbar's reign is considered to be one of the best The Country has known. Akbar was succeeded by Jahangir, followed by his son Shah Jahan - best known as the builder of the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. Shah Jahan's reign was followed by Aurangzeb's. The death of Aurangzeb saw the decline of the Mughal rule in India.

British Rule

Over the centuries India had always been attractive to traders, and one of the first Europeans to come to India was the Portuguese trader Vasco da Gama who landed at Calicut, sailing via the Cape of Good Hope in 1498. The Portuguese established their colony in Goa in the 16th Century but they did not expand it though their rule continued till 1961. Vasco da Gama was followed by the French, the Dutch and the English, all of whom were lured by the commercial interests that India offered. By the last quarter of the 18th century the English established themselves as the dominant power in India and they set about making revolutionary changes in the social, political and the economic life of The Country.

Towards Independence

The disintegration of the Mughal empire, fighting among the Maratha rulers and inability of the various rulers across The Country to unite against a common enemy saw the British consolidate their position in The Country. However, the 19th century saw a revival of national pride and social reform and the Indians began to tire of the suppressive British rule. Things reached a flash point in the second half of the 19th century when the first war of independence in 1857 broke out in Meerut. It was sparked off by the introduction of a new rifle and cartridge by the British in the Army. The cartridges which soldiers had to bite off, allegedly contained pork and beef tallow, which offended the religious sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims. The soldiers rebelled, reached Delhi and proclaimed Bahadurshah Zafar the sovereign ruler of India. They were eventually overpowered by the British.

But there was no looking back for the Indians who wanted social reform and freedom. The Indian National Congress was set up and educated Indians started formulating strategies to assert their birthright to independence. The anti-British sentiment became a mass movement with the arrival of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who devised a unique strategy for India's freedom struggle based on non-violence and civil disobedience. He conceived and led the non-cooperation movement in 1922, the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and the Quit India Movement in 1942. All of which pushed the British into agreeing to transfer power on August 15, 1947, the day that is now celebrated as India's Independence Day. Today, India is the world's largest democracy with a federal form of government.

Country Facts

Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.

Area: 3,287,000 km².

Population: 1,095,000,000 (May 2006 est.)

Capital: Delhi

Time: 10.5 hours ahead of Toronto/New York and 13.5 hours ahead of Vancouver/Los Angeles

Language: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of The People; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language

Ethnic Groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)

Religion: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% (2000)

Currency: Rupee (INR = 100 Paise)

Electricity: 230 -240V, 50 Hz

City Code: 91, Bombay 22, Calcutta 33, Delhi 11, Madras 44

Business Hours:

Banks: 1000-1400 Mon-Fri, 1000-1200 Sat

Office: 0930-1700 Mon-Fri, 0930-1300 Sat

Shops: 0930-1800 Mon-Sat

Tipping: If service charge is not included, 10% is normal.

Licence: International driving licence is required.

Passport/Visa: Passport and visa required.

Airport: Delhi Indira Gandhi International/DFL 20 km S of Delhi. Two terminals.

Credit Cards: All major credit cards are accepted.

Things to know about India before you go

Passports and Visas

Foreign visitors wishing to see India should be in possession of valid national Passports and valid Visas granted by the Indian Missions abroad.

Vaccinations

Certificates against Cholera and Small Pox are not required. Yellow fever certificate is required by persons arriving from an epidemic area.

Customs

Free allowance of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco. Alcohol up to 1 litre is permitted duty free.

Currency

The currency of India is the Rupee, which is divided into 100 paise. The Rupee comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500.

Population and Language

There are almost one billion Indians today and the number is growing every year. English is commonly used in all business transactions. India has the second largest English speaking base in the world. However, the main spoken languages are Hindi and Urdu.

Health & Water

It is advisable to drink only bottled or distilled water.

Climate

India basically has a tropical Climate with three main seasons:

Summer season: April to Mid-June

Monsoon season: Late June to September

Winter season: October to March

Clothing

During the winter months of October to March woollen clothes would be preferred, as there can be snow in the North. For the rest of the year, it can be very hot, so light, tropical clothing is advised.

Tipping

Hotels and restaurants add 10% service charges on the bills, no further tipping is necessary. If service charge is not included, 10% is normal, unless service has been extraordinary.

Sightseeing

The following monuments/sites are closed to visitors on these days:

Taj Mahal Agra Fridays

Red Fort Delhi Mondays

Ajanta Caves Aurangabad Mondays

Ellora Caves Aurangabad Tuesdays

Elephanta Caves Mumbai (Bombay) Mondays

Prince of Wales Museum Mumbai (Bombay) Mondays

Dutch Palace Cochin Fridays

Jewish Synagogue Cochin Saturdays & all Jewish holidays

Bronze Museum Chennai (Madras) Fridays

Sarnath Museum Varanasi Fridays

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

• What is the coolest time to visit India?

The coolest weather lasts from November to mid-March, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days.

I hear Indians are a more conservative lot especially compared to people in Western countries.

• What kind of clothes would be acceptable here?

Shorts, minis and tank tops are unadvisable unless you're on a beach. In small towns and cities especially, people may tend to stare if you expose too much skin. Safe clothing would be trousers, peddle pushers, capris, skirts, tops and shirts. India has some good cottons which are trendy and affordable. Buy yourself some. Women could try wearing a salwar kameez which is very cool and comfortable and could even improve the attitude of people towards them.

• What is the best thing to do if pestered by beggars and street urchins?

Well, you can start by ignoring them completely and if they get too persistent give them a stern look. If you must give them something, let it not be more than 1 to 2 rupees only.

• What are the important Hindi words I should know when I'm in India?

Well, there are many phrases and words in Hindi that could come in use. We would advise you to look at our 'Useful Hindi Phrases' page in Useful Stuff.

• Can I hire a cell phone in India?

You can pick up a mobile phone connection from most departmental stores and often even at small roadside stores. The service provided by these private companies is on par with the best in the world.

• How safe is drinking water in India?

If you are from a foreign country, you may not be used to drinking the water here. Hence we advise that you pick up a bottle of mineral water which is cheap and widely available and usually provided in flasks in hotel rooms. Order the same when you are at a restaurant. As far as possible, avoid drinking any kind of water or juices from roadside carts and vendors.

• How should I tip waiters at restaurants / hotels?

In tourist restaurants or hotels a 10% service charge is often added to bills, in which case there is no need to tip. In smaller places, where tipping is optional, you need only tip a few rupees, not a percentage of your bill. It is customary to tip waiters, porters, guides and drivers.

• How safe is it to eat non-vegetarian food in India?

India, being a primarily Hindu country, beef is rarely served. Pork is also not easily available. Eat non-vegetarian food only in good restaurants. What you get in smaller places is generally of dubious quality though tastes quite yummy, thanks to concoctions of Indian spices and masalas.

• Are there pubs and discotheques in India?

Yes, definitely. Though these are concentrated only in metro cities and big towns. In places like Mumbai and Bangalore you are likely to find several cocktail lounges and coffee bars as well. Most pubs and discs have state of the art sound equipment and an experienced DJ to provide you with good music. Do try the spicy chaats and snacks with your Pina Colada.

• How best can I get the flavour of a particular destination I visit in India?

We would love you to try using the local transport. But this is not advisable in crowded cities like Mumbai. However, do take a ride or two in a state transport bus or tram whenever you have the opportunity. It would be better to take an Indian friend along. Try and interact more with the locals of the area. There will be a language problem but many people in small towns are quite fluent in English and a few other foreign languages.

Buy a handicraft or souvenir which is typical of the place. It would be better to wear a piece of clothing from the place you are visiting. E.g. A sarong in Goa, a baandhani dupatta in Rajasthan. You would blend in well with the local people.

Arrival Guide

DELHI

Delhi is the eternal city. A thousand years of History greet the visitor at every step and delight you at every turn. The sun-warmed stones of ancient forts, tombs, mosques and palaces lie scattered across its sprawling expanse - reminders of an almost continuous settlement along the banks of the River Yamuna.

Ancient names still echo its links with half-forgotten times. New Delhi is quite modern with its wide boulevards, tall buildings and uncommonly generous green spaces. Its stately avenues and bustling bazaars are vivid with contemporary life. Delhi is one of the most lively and cosmopolitan cities of the world. In Old Delhi, one of the more impressive sights is surely the Red Fort. This walled citadel, surrounding several grand marble palaces, remains an impressive testament to the strength and splendour of the great Moghuls.

AGRA

Just 200 km (125miles) south of Delhi is Agra, the site of the fabled 17th-century monument of love - the Taj Mahal. Considered by many to be one of the most perfect works of art ever created, the sparkling white marble structure, originally inset with precious and semiprecious stones, marks the pinnacle of Moghul architecture. Nearby is Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city. Mysteriously deserted only a few years after construction in 1569, its empty palaces, pavilions and mosques remain virtually unchanged today.

MUMBAI (BOMBAY)

India's western gateway with a major international airport and harbour, the city's rise from the dowry of a Portuguese queen to The Country's foremost seaport, commercial centre and producer of films has been nothing short of meteoric. Mumbai's Gothic architecture is embodied in the Gateway of India, Bombay High Court, Old Secretariat, University Buildings and Victoria Terminus. Open spaces in this crowded city include Chowpatty Beach, Juhu Beach and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the latter a fine wildlife park.

JAIPUR

A trip to the southwest of Delhi leads you to Jaipur, the "pink city" - so called because the entire town was painted pink, the colour of welcome, in honour of Queen Victoria when Prince Albert visited there. The previous royal seat of the Maharajahs, Jaipur remains a magnificent reminder of the luxury and opulence that characterized the era. Among its many splendid sights is the Palace of the Winds, also known as the Hawa Mahal, where 953 windows in a fantastic façade open onto the world. From these, ladies of the court could discreetly glimpse life around them, protected and unseen.

VARANASI

East of Khajuraho is Varanasi, (formerly known as Banares) where for centuries pilgrims have made their way to this Holy city of Hindus (and still do). Thousands of visitors customarily line the "ghats", or steps that lead down to the banks of the sacred Ganges River, thereby creating an amazing spectacle.

UDAIPUR

The most romantic city in Rajasthan, built around the lovely Lake Pichola, has inevitably been dubbed the 'Venice of the East'. The city is a harmonious Indian blend of whitewashed buildings, marble palaces, lakeside gardens, temples and havelis (traditional mansions). It boasts an enviable artistic heritage, a proud reputation for performing arts and a relatively plentiful water supply, all of which have helped make it an oasis of civilization and colour.

CHENNAI

Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is the gateway to Southern India and the largest city in southern India located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, developed after 1639 when the British East India Company established a fort and trading post at the small fishing village of Chennai. It is also the capital city of Tamil Nadu State. It offers some beautiful beach resorts.

The best place to experience amazing temples is nearby Mahabalipuram, a seaside village that, apart from some exquisite Pallava rock-cut architecture, boasts a long stretch of sun-kissed beach. Inland, the pilgrimage city of Kanchipuram is filled with reminders of an illustrious past under successive dynastic rulers, while further down the coast is one of India's rare French colonial possessions, Pondicherry, where Auroville has found a new role in the 'New Age'.

COCHIN

Cochin (also known as Kochi) has been an important trading port since ancient times. Today, the land of spices that attracted the European traders is a quaint blend of the old and the new, the Indian and the Western. Popularly referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is today the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.

Being a major harbour from the times of the British and Portuguese, Cochin has a rich heritage of forts, churches and temples. The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Fort Kochi, though now in ruins, contains many remains of Indo-European architecture. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town is a fascinating mixture of shops, warehouses and spice auction rooms. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, stands as the pride of Fort Cochin. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders.

GOA

This tiny west-coast state is a slice of the Mediterranean. At every twist and turn of the undulating Goan coast, there are alluring little coves and bays each completely different and each with its own special charm. Along the coast are picturesque villages with tall, white-washed churches and red tiled houses that nestle into the lush green of the Goan countryside.

The northern part of Goa has some of the finest beaches edged by tall cliffs. The Arambol Beach has a delightful fresh water pond at the base of a verdant slope. The southern beaches have white sand and calm seas and definitely merit a visit.

KHAJURAHO

The Khajuraho Temples are dedicated to a celebration of womanhood, her myriad moods and facets. Famous for its erotic architecture, the carvings include: women writing letters, applying eye makeup, combing their tresses, dancing & playing. Her innocent, blushed, charming and seductive, ardent beauty, are all depicted in exquisitely sculptured details.

MYSORE

This charming, easy-going city has long been a favourite with travellers since it has a manageable size, enjoys a good Climate and has chosen to retain and promote its heritage rather than replace it. Until Independence, Mysore was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, a princely state.

The Maharaja's Indo-Saracenic Palace is the town's major attraction, with its kaleidoscope of stained glass, ornate mirrors, carved mahogany ceilings, solid silver doors and outrageously gaudy colours. The Devaraja Fruit & Vegetable Market, in the heart of the town, is one of the most colourful markets in India. The other major attraction is the 1000-step climb up nearby Chamundi Hill, which is topped by the huge Chamundeswari temple deities.

AURANGABAD

The attraction here are the caves of Ajanta and Ellora both of which are handy to the city. Ajanta Caves are situated in the Sahyardi Hills, 100 km from Aurangabad. In the shape of a mammoth horseshoe are the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta. The Caves date from the 2nd century BC. Discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Carved with little more than a hammer and chisel, Ajanta, once the retreat of Buddhist monastic orders features several 'chaityas' (chapels) and 'viharas' (monasteries). The exquisite wall and ceiling paintings, panels and sculptures of Buddha's life are famous throughout the world as the earliest and finest examples of Buddhist pictorial

Ellora Caves are impressive in their own right. The rock-hewn temples and monasteries of Ellora t lie just 30 km away from Aurangabad. In all, there are 34 cave temples, 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 AD), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 AD) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 AD) 22 more caves dedicated to Lord Shiva, all of which were recently discovered. Kailas Temple the central attraction at Ellora, is the most remarkable. Chiselled by hand from a single massive rock, it includes a gateway, pavilion, courtyard, vestibule, sanctum, sanctorum and tower which bear testimony to the excellence of Dravidian art. It is believed to have taken 7000 labourers, working in continuous shifts and 150 years to build. Ever since the first European visitors in 18th Century, Ellora has attracted chroniclers, antiquarians, scholars and in more recent years, an ever increasing number of tourists.

USEFUL PHRASES

English » Hindi

Hi or Hello » Namaste

Please » Kripaya

Thank You » Shukhriya / Dhanyavaad

Yes » Haan

No » Nahin

Where can I find » Kahan milenge

I want water » Mujhe paani chahiye

I want a ticket » Mujhe ticket chahiye

Where is the toilet » bathroom kahan hai

I am from Australia » Main Australia se hoon

Are you open tomorrow » Aap kal khule hain

Is this very far » Kya ye bahut door hai

How much is this » Ye kitne ka hai

This is too expensive » Ye bahut mehenga hai

Make this price less » Bhaav kam karo

How are you? » Aap kaise hain?

Sorry » Maaf kijiye

Ok » Theek hai

What? » Kya?

Where? » Kahan?

How? » Kaise?

When? » Kab?

Who? » Kaun?

Why? » Kyon?

What is the price? » Iska kya daam hai?

I don't understand » Mai samjha nahi

Tell me the way please » Kripya raasta bataiye

What is your name? » Aapka naam kya hai?

My name is » Mera naam …

Right » Dahine

Left » Bayen

One » Ek

Two » Do

Three » Teen

Four » Chaar

Five » Paanch

Six » Cheh

Seven » Saat

Eight » Aath

Nine » Naun

Ten » Das

One hundred » Ek sau

Two hundred » Do sau

NIGHT VIEWING OF TAJ MAHAL

Night viewing of Taj Mahal is allowed at this magnificent World Heritage Site and Seventh Wonder of the World. They will be conducted five nights in a month including the Full Moon night and two days before and two days after except Fridays. The night viewing of Taj Mahal is opened from 8-30 p.m. to 12-30.

Visitors of the night viewing of Taj Mahal will enter from the Eastern Gate of the Taj Mahal. No video cameras are allowed inside the monument during the night viewing. The forthcoming full moon dates of the years from 2008 to 2010 are listed below. The day of full moon may be subject to a minor variation.

More Info: Please contact Goway to arrange a once in a lifetime opportunity.